Electric railway-signal



(No. Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. T'. WATERS.

(No Mode1.)` 4 Sh@ets-Sheetl 2.

W. T. WATERS.

LEGTRIG RAILWAY SIGNAL. No. 314,761. Patented Mar. 31, 1885. 7&67'4 n AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA WITNESSE l -INVENTORE @A Wk /w/w, '//f; l

m BY .n M25/mf l si@ ATTORNEYS.

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(No ModeL) 4 SheetS-Sheet 3.

W. T. WATERS. ELECTRIC RAILWAY SIGNAL. N0. 314,761. Patented Mar. 3l, 1885.

ING Model.) I 4 sheets-sheen 4.

W. T. WATERS.

l ELECTRIC RAILWAY SIGNAL. No. 314,761. Patented Mar. 31. 1885.

i J I N l WITNESSES- AIIWENTOE- QAM/EAW ,.az' BY um ATTORNEYS.

' contact-bars, and inclined p ush-bar.

f PATENT EEICE.

"VILLIAM T. WATERS, ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

' ELECTRIC RAILWAY-SIGNAL.

`S-.T` .CI]:"I.CVJ-L'ION forming part of Letters PateIItNO. 314,761, dated March 31, 1885.

l 1 Application filed May 23, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom, 15 may concern: i

Be it known thatl, WILLIAM T. WATERs, of Atlanta, in the county ot' Fulton and State of Georgia, haveinvented a new and useful Imwhich the following isa full, clear, and exact descriptin.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specilication, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1, Sheet l, is a plan view o'a portion of a railroad-track, showing a series of posts and their conductingwire upon each side of a track.A Fig. 2, Sheet l, represents a number ofthe posts in their regular order, but turned one-quarter around to more clearly illustrate the electrical connections. It also indicates the position of a train and the' relative positions of the signals with respectthereto. Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is a front elevation, partly in section, ol' a part of a locomotive, showing the batteries, battery-connections, insulated Fig. 4, Sheet 2, isa sectionalview of one ofthe posts, showing the mechanism for raising the signals.

, signal-box, showing an advance signal -concealed` and the 'mechanism for holding it. Fig. 6, Sheet 3, is a sectional View of a signalbox, showing a rear signal and a part of the mechanism for raising it.' Fig. 7, Sheet 3. is

l a front elevation of` a signalbox, showing the its gong.

. tive,s`howing the insulated contact-bars and thev inclined push-bars, and Fig. 13 is a detail sectional-view. l

:The object of this invention is to improve the construction of the electric railwaysignals I'or'which'lan application for Letters Patent was filed by me January 2,7, 1883, ANo. 83,272. The invention consists in the combination of switches-and other appliances with the op- Fig. 5, Sheet 3, is a sectional View of a erating mechanism of the` signals, to make the said signals more'satisfactory and effective in ;use, as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed outin the claims.

provement iu Electric Railway-Signals, of

A represents an ordinary railroad-track,

'along each side of which is erected a series of posts, B, at uniform or unequal distances apart, as may be desired or convenient.

To each post B, or to suitable independent supports, or to supports secured to each post, 'are attached two pairs ot' conducting-arms, kC D and G D', above the ground.

All the pairs of each series are at the same distance li'rom the'vertical plane of the central line of the track A, and may or may uct be atthe same height above the level ot' the said track.

The bases of the arms C D are insulated from .each other and from their supports, and each arm Gis made elastic and longer than each arm D, as shown in Fig. 4.

From each arm G a wire, E, leads to the arm C of the next forward post, B, as shown in Fig. 2. VTo each arm D is attached the end ofa wire, F, the other endA of which `is 'conf-I nected with the end of the coil of the magnet G, attached to the post B. The other end of the coilof the magnet G is connected with the end of the Wire H, the other end of which is connected with the switch I. NVhen the advance signal J, which is pivoted at its lower end in a recess in the post B, or in a box attachedY to the said post, is concealed or raised,

thel switch I is connected with the contact` point K, connected with the upper end of the ground-wire L. As the electric current passes,

through the'circuit thus nformed the magneti G attracts the armature M and withdraws the hook or shoulder N, formed upon the said armature, from the hook O, formed upon the end ofthe curved lever P, as shown in Fig. 5, and allowsthe advance signal .I to be swung down or displayed by the weight Q, attached to or suspended from it, the said advance signal being locked in place when raised by the engagement of a slot, l, in the projecting middle part of the curved lever P, with a pin, S, attached to the advance signal J near the inner corner of its free end, as shown in Fig. 5. As the armature M moves into contact with Jthe magnet G it brings the end of the l Wire or conducting-strip T, as shown in FiO.

IOO

v' sition, its rounded lower end co'nesin ecn- 5, into contact lwith the 4switch U. TheA wire or strip A'I is connected with the 'armature M, so as to he carried by the said armature M in its movements, and its other end is connected 5 with the conducting-wire H. The switch U is attached to the post B, or to a support at tached to the said post. /Vith this construcv tion,as the current of electricity passes through the magnet G and drops the advance signal J, the wire I and switch U are brought into contact, and the current of electricity passes throughthe Y said wire and switch to the ground-wire L, instead of passing through the wire yH and switch I. The object ofthe switch U, therefore, is to provide atemporary groundconnection for an advance current,- which would otherwise be diverted through the wire W to the 'next post in advance, and if suiiif ciently long maintained would drop 'signal after signal indefinitely. By the use of this switch a single current can drop but one signal, though vnot always necessarily 'the ii'rst signal in advance, but always 'the first vancesignal that has not already been displayed, as herein'before setfOr'th. ,'Ihe'swi'tch U 'may be 'a ground-'connection vonly 'when the advance signal 'J is at "safety7 In other words, it forms a :gro'udco'nnection only -for the'current that releases 'the 'advance `signal with which it is connected. As the advance signal 'J drops into a horizontal pfotact with the switch I and ypushes the said switch out of contact with the contactl'point e 35 K and into contact withfthe c'o'ntact-poiintV,

with which connected the, end of .the wire W..y 'I he other end ofthe wire Wisconnected with the 'circuit-wire AE. The .switch U 'is made elastic,and is so formed that the -switch I, as it moves from the co'ntact-p'ointK to the" contact-point V, will put 'thefswitch U under tensin, so that when the armature'against which'the 'free end'of the said switch is pressed rises jat the interruption of the current the said switch will spring forward against the stop X', and will beheld therese long' asth'e advance signal is displayed, and when in'th'is posi tioncan'not be touched by the wireorstr'ip 'r, carried by the andature M. Tndswitdnes.

IU fare insulated from "eachother at the point where they comein contact in pushir'ig` forward tides-witch U. With each arm Dis connected the end of'a wire, F', the other endof which is connected with one end o'f the coil of the magnet G'. vThe other end of the'coilof the magnet G is `connected with 'a switch, I',

placed in Asuch-a l'position thatwhen the 'rear Signal, J', is raised dr displayed itsrdnnded pivote'd end will "force 'the'said 'switch into contact with the point a, from whichawire, L2, "leads to the'grou'ud-wir'e L. 4With this construction, when the arm C is raised 'from thearrn D and brought'intothe circuit,'the cur- Y rent ofy electricity will pass to the rearward '65 through the wire E, to and through the rkconv tactlarrns C' D', and thence through the wire F', the coil of the magnet G', the switch I',

larmature M", withdrawing its hook AN' the contact-pointe, and the wires L2 L to the ground, and when the arm C' is raised from the arm D' and brought into circuit the current of electricity will pass forward through the wire E to and through the contact-arms C D of the next post, and thence through the wire F, the coils of the magnet G, to the Wire H. From this point the direction of the cur-I rent is controlled by the position ofthe advance signal J. 'Ii' the advance signal beheld at safety, the current will pass from the wire H to the switch I, contact-point K, thence to the ground, as hereinbeffore described; but if the ladvance signal be displayed a current passing from the wire II through the switch I and` contact-pointV will pass through the wire W and line-Wire E, the arms G D of the next post in advance, yand thence through the v F, Icoils of iiiget G, the Wire H, "Swi contact-point K, vand 'thence to thelv g By means of the wire W and the sy" 1 und:

switches herein set forth not only one, but twdo'r more Asignals, 4may befdispidydd 'in ddvanceof 'the moving train. Byu'thieus'e of the switch I the grounl'd-fconn'c'ctih al; "c `tactpoint ais 'maintained only while the ysi J is' disp-layed. when die signal d'1@ eaie'd, the switch I', Having' ground-ccnn'ection, will' 'riot afford an escape for'an vance 'current passing from tneywir'e W;

As the 'e'lect'ric'c'urrent passes through the coil of jth'e magnet `Gr' the fsaid magnet attracts the cess, b, jas 'shown in fui-1 rides in Fig. 4 and dotted-lines 'in ing. c. Intnedutrdge 'of the upfp'er endet the ieverP, at the bdtdin of the 'recess b, is formed Y'a 'slotc, to receifv'a pingd, attached 'to the si-gnat J. With this construction, 'as the lever-P' is released Afrom the armature M' thedescent of the sigiz'tl 5J' forces 'the `pin d against 'the upper edg'e of the slot 0, -,and 4swings `the lower 'end o'f the said lever P outward, jsdthat the piddiwiu 'pass out'of the sloti'cyand will nive along the perpart of the curved edge of 'the recess 'b nearly to the upper end of the vsaid curve, the said curve being so formed as to 'allow the lowerend of thesaid lever P to `swing back into the post or'box B, As the Ysignal :'I is raised tlie'pin'dfmoves back'alongthe curved edge of the recess b untilit reaches and enters the slot c, when it presses against thello'we'r s em of' IIO IZO

vided with a third'pair of conducting-arms,

' C2 D2, placed below the arms C D', and having the end of a wire, F2, connected with the upper arm, C2. -The other end of the wire F2 is connected with the end of the coil of a magnet, G2, at-tached to a special post, B', placed near the crossing e, and provided with a hooked armature, M2,to hold and release a special sig nal, J2, which is constructed and operated in the same manner as an advance signal, J, ex cept that no switches are required.

With the special post B is connected a local battery, f, the circuit-wires g g of which are connected with a gong, 7L, also attached to the special post B, as shown in Fig. 2. In this case one ofthe conducting-wires g g is divided, and the adjacent ends of its parts are connected with contact-points 'i i.

To the pivot of the signal Jl is attached a switch,j, in 'such a position that it will be brought into Contact with the pointsz 13 to close the circuit and sound the gong when the signal J2 is displayed, and will be withdrawn from the said points to open the circuit when the said signal J2 is concealed. In case a post,

B, is placed near the crossing` c, a special sig.

nal, J3, is connected with the pivot ofthe advance signal, J, so as to be operated by and with the said signal J. The signal J3 can be made rectangular, as shown in Figs. 9 and l0, or of any other suitable form, so as to display a danger-signal whenv the signal J is displayed, and a safety-signal when the signal J is concealed, and thereby avoid the expense of an M, the magnet G in this case being placed extra post. The special signal J3 may be made short and supported wholly by the post B, or it may extend across the roadway and be pivoted at its other end to a special post, B2. In this case the local battery f, gong h, circuit-wires g g', and switch j t t can be connected with the special post BZ and the outer pivot ofthe signal J3, as shown in Fig. 9.

When the signals J J3 are heavy, a disk, 7c, can be attached to the pivot ot' the said signais, and provided with a hook or shoulder, l, to engage with the hook N of the armature near the pivoted end of the signal J, and the lever l? not being used, as shown in Figs. 9 and l1.

To the disk 7c is attached a weight, m, in such a position that its gravity will start the signals J J3 in their movement when released by the action of the magnet G upon the armature M.

Upon the engine n, or any desired car ofthe train, are placed three separate batteries, 0 o 02, the negative poles of which are connected by wirespjapZ with the running-gear of the engine, which, in connect-ion with the rails of the track A, formsl the ground-connection. The positive poles of the batteries o o o2 are connected, respectively, by wires q q q2 with projecting bars i r' r2, insulated from the side of the engine or ear in such positions as to come in contact successively with the lower sides of the projecting ends of the upper arms, C C G2, and raise the said arms out of'contact with the lower arms, D D D2. Vith this construction, when the engine n, or the car to `which the bars r r r are attached, cornes opposite each post B, the bars r r come successively in contact with and raise the arms C C'. As each arm C is raised the electric current from the battery 0 will pass through the wire q', the bar 1^', the arm C', and the wireEto the post B, with which the other end ofthe said wire is connected, where it will release one or more advance signals, J, in the manner hereiubefore described, and allow them to drop into view, and will then pass to the ground. As each arm Gis raised the electric current from the battery 0 will pass through the wire q, the bar r, the arm C, and the wire E back to the post B, with which the other end of the said wire is connected, where it will release the rear signal, J, in the manner hereinbefore described, and allow it to drop out of view, and will then pass to the ground. As the engine or car passes each post provided with a third pair of arms, C2 D`, the bar r2 comes in contact with and raises the arm C?, and the electric currentfrom the battery o2 passes through the wire g2, the -bar r", the arm C2, and the Wire F2 to the post B, with which the other end of the said wire is connected, where it will release the special signal J2 and allow it to drop into view, and will then pass to the ground. The ends of the bars rr r2 are inclined downward, so that they will readilyipass beneath and raise the ends of the arms C C C2; and the saidbars 1- r r2 are made of such a length as tomaintain a contact with the said arms G C C2 long enough to allow the electric current to do its work. The wires q q are divided, and the ends of the parts next the batteries o o are connected with the switches s s. The adjacent ends of the other parts of the wires q q' are connected with the contact-points zi t of the switches s s. Vith other contact-poi nts, u u', of the switches 8 s are connected wires c v, which pass to the other side of the engine or car, and are connected with a set of insulated contact-bars, w w', similar to the bars r r', so that the signals can be operated from either side of the said engine or car, as one or the other side may be toward the posts B.

To the journals of the signals J JJ are pivoted the ends of connecting-bars am', the other ends ot' which are pivoted to horizontally-slot tcd arms g/ y, att-ached to a vertical rod, z. The rod z slides vertically in bearings in the box or post B, and is raised and held up by a spiral spring, 1, placed upon its upper part. rlhe upper end of the spring l rests against a pin, 2, passed through a collar attached to the said rod near its upper end. The lower end of the spring 1 rests upon astationarysupport, 3. attached to the box or post B, and through which the rod z slides.

To the lower' end of the rod z are attached spring clutchjaws 4 to receive and engage -IOO IIO

with the spear-head 5 when the short rod 6, to which the said spear-head is attached, or upon which it is formed, moves upward. The lower end of the rod 6 is attached to a weight, 7, which is made hollow, and is placed and slides upon the upper part of the rod 8, which passes up through the lower end of the weight 7, and has a head, 9, upon its upper end, so that it can move down without carrying the said Weight with it.

To the lower end of the rod 8 is attached a pin,10, which passes through a longitudinal slot, 11, in the outer end of the long arm of the elbow-le'ver12. The lever 12 is lpivoted at its angle to the post B, or other suitable support, and its short arm is widened or branched, and has a tliree-arined slot,13 14 15, formed in it to receive the 'pin 16, attached `to the end of the horizontal rod 17, which slides in bearings .in posts 18, or other stationary supports, placed between the posts B and the railroad-track A. The sliding rod 17 is brought into `and held in its normal position by two spiral springs, 19 20. rIhe spring 19 is placed upon the rod 17, between the outer and central posts 18, with its outer end resting against the outer post 18, and its inner end resting against a pin, 2l, attached to the said rod at the outer side of the central post 18. The spring 2() is placed upon the innerpart ol' the rod 17, with its outer end resting against a pin, 22, attached to the said rod 17 at the inner side of the central post 18,. and with its inner end resting againstthe outer side of the inner post 18, as shown in Figs. 4 and 12. The bearing in the central post 18 is slotted to allow the pins 21 22 to pass the central post. With this construction, as the rod 17 is forced outward the pin 22 slides through the slot in the bearing and the pin 21 is forced against the end ot' the spring 19- and compresses it, so that the said rod, when released, will be brought back to its vnormal position by theelasticity of the saidl spring 19. When the rod 17 is forced inward, the pin 21 slides through the slot in the bearing and the pin 22 is forced against the end of the spring 20 and compresses it, so that the rod 17, when released, will be brought back to its normal position by the lelasticity of the spring 20. In either case the rod 17 slides freely through the spring that is not put under compression.

To the inner end or head of the rod 17 is pivoted a small roller, 23, to be struck by an inclined pushbar, 24, connected with the engine by arms or brackets 25. With this construction, as the engine n moves forward the inclined push-bar 24 strikes against the inner side of the roller 23 and pushes the rod 17 outward, which movement operates the elbowlever 12, raisesfthe rod 8 and weight 7 bringingthe Spearhead 5 ot' the rod 6 into contact with the clutch-jaws 4, attached to t-he lower end of thev sliding rod z, As the inclined push-bar 24 passes off the roller 23 the spring 19 forces the rod 17 inward, draws the rod 8 downward, and allows the weight 7 to draw the sliding rod downward and raise the signals,with which the said rod is connected, from a horizontal to a vertical position, `or from a vertical to a horizontal position, or, in other words. conceals an advance or crossing signal and displays a rear signal, so that the signals will always be raised by mechanical means and released and allowed to drop bythe action of an electric current, as hereinbefore described. As the rod z is drawn .downward by the weight 7 the bars wx,connected with the slotted arms y y', attached to the said rod, are drawn against the pins 26, or other stops formed upon or attached to the signals or signal-operating disk, and act as cranks to raise the said signals. As the signals come into Position and the rod z reaches the limit of its downward movement the jaws 4 come in contact with the pins 27, attached to the post or box B, andare forced apart, releasing the head 5 of the rod 6 and allowing the weight 7 to continue its downward movement until it comes in contact with the stops 28, attached to the box or post B, and which support the said weight until again raised by the upward movement ofthe rod 8.

To the rod 8 is attached a collar, 29, having a rubber cushion, 30, placed upon it to 4come in contact with the lower end of the weight 7 as the said rod 8 moves upward, and prevent any injurious shock from the sudden contact ot' the moving rod with the stationary weight, the said weight receiving its initial upward movement from the elasticity of the said cushion 30. Vhen the engine is moved backward,the outer end ofthe inclined pushbar 24 willA pass upon the outer side of thel roller 23,and will draw the rod 17 inward, the pin 16, at the outer end ofthe said rod, moving into and along the slot-arm15 of the threearmed slot in the short arm of the elbowlever 12, so that the said lever 12 will not be moved. inclined push-bars 24 are placed upon both sides of engines, to be used on single-track roads, and are arranged parallel with each other and with the level ot' the track, so that in whatever direction the engine be moving, and whether running forward or backward,` it will operate proper signals upon one or the other side of the track.

Between the lower arms, D D D2, and the ground-wires L are interposed lightning-arresters 31, to prevent thel signals from being operated and the electric apparatus inj ured by atmospheric electricity.

The operating parts of the apparatus are designed to be covered by -casings to protect them from injury.

The combination of the oscillatory signal J3 with an Iadvance signal, J, hookedarmature M, and disk or leverl 7c, having shoulder or hook Z, will be made the subject of a subsequent application for patent. f

Having thus described my invention,I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- 1. A system of electric railway-signals com- IOO IIO

prising a series of normally-independent circuits, each of which is connected at either end with electric signal-controlling mechanism, including a normally-grounded switch and a visual signal adapted to be displayed by mechanically-stored power, released electrically, and then mechanically housed, and means, substantially as set forth, whereby each display movement of the said' signal will break the ground-connection of its system and unite the contiguous normally-independent circuits.

2. A system of electric railway signals comprising separate line-circuits connected in series, signal-controlling devices located at each' signaling-station and connected with each section of -the series and provided with electric signal-operating mechanism, including a nor-g mally-open ground-switch and a visual signal adapted to be mechanically displayed and then housed by mechanically-stored power, released electrically, and means, substantially as described, whereby each display movement of the signal will complete the ground-connection of its circuit, thereby disuniting the contiguous circuits.

3. An electric railway-signal system comprisingaseries of separate normally-independent circuits, each ot' which is connected at one end with electric signal-controlling mechanism for advance signals, and at its other end with electric signal-controlling mechanism for rear signals, a switch normally grounded and located in proximity to the advance signal, a-nd mechanical connections between said signal and the switch, whereby the latter is automatically shifted so as to span the signaloperating mechanism and unite the contiguous circuits upon the displaying of the signal, as set forth.

4.. In a system of railroad-signaling, aseries of separate normally-independent circuits, each of which includes a movable ground-connection normally out of circuit, a rear signal and electromechanical devices for retaining same in its displayed position, and mechanical connections between said signal and the movable earth-circuit, whereby the latter is only brought into action during the exposure of the signal, and is automatically cut out when the same is released and allowed to fall, substantially as described.

5. In electric railway-signals, a series of signaling-stations extending along a line of railway, each provided with a normallygrounded movable contact, and means, substantially such as described, for transmitting a current from a moving train at one of the rear posts to one or more thereof in advance and to ground successively through ithe said movable contacts, and a signal-controlling electro magnet located at each of said stations, Y

said ground connections being successively broken by the displaying of the signals released therethrough, as set forth.

6. A system of electric railway-signals comprising a series of separate normally-independent circuits, each includinga movable temporary ground-connection at its advance signaling-point, and means, substantially as described, whereby 'said ground-connection is placed under compression by the displaying of said advance signal,and thereby automatically cut ont of circuit, as set forth.

7. Asystem of electric railway-signals comprising a series of separate normally-i ndependent circuits', each including a movable temporary ground-connection at its advance signaling point, said ground connection being brought into circuit by the attraction of the armature of an electro-magnet, and then put under compression while so connected by the change of position of a signal released by said armature, so that it will move out of contact position when said armature is released, and remain out of contact position until said signal is returned to its normal position, as set forth.

8. In an electric railway-signaling system, the combination, with an electro-mechanically- `controlled advance signal, of an oscillatory signal forhighway and other crossings secured to the axis of said advance signal and at right angles thereto, and moved uponits horizontal longitudinal axis from danger7 to sa fety, and vice versa, by the ordinary manipulations of the advance signal, as set forth.

9. In electric railway-signals, the combination, ,with the armature-operated conducting wire or strip T and the switch U, of the switch I, lever I), and signal J, substantially as herein shown andV described, whereby the free end of the switch U is forced out of contact position by the downward movement of the advance signal, as set forth.

l0. In electric railway-signals, the combination, with the conducting-wires F H E and the ground-wire L, ofthe armature-operated conducting wire or strip T, the switches U I I', the signals J J', levers P P', and the conducting-wire AW', substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the forward ground-connection is changed from post to post automatically in advance of the train, as set forth.

l1. In electric railway-signals, the combination, with the rear signal, J', having pin d, the armature M', having hook N', and the magnet G', of the lever P', having curved recess b, slot c, and hook O', substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the said signal is held in place when displayed, and released by the passage of an electric current through the said magnet, as set forth.

12. In electric railway-signals, the combination, with the arma-ture M, having hook N', the signal J, having pin S, and the magnet G, ofthe bent lever P, having hook O, and slot R, substantially as herein shown and de- IOO scribed, whereby the advance signal is held in place when concealed, and is released by the passage of an electric current through the said magnet, as set forth.

13. In electric railway-signals, the combination, with the sliding rod 17, operating the Weight-raising elbow-lever 12, and thc supports 18, of the tWo springs 19 20, and the 5'pins 21 22, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the said rod will be brought back to its normal position after being moved in either direction, as set forth.

y 14. In electricrailway-signals, the combina- Io tion, with the horizontally-sliding rod 17, the

elbow-lever 12, and the vertically-sliding rod z, having clutch-jaws 4C, ofthe rod 8, the ,slid-l ing Weight 7, carrying the rod 6, having spearhead end 5, and the stops 27 and 28, substan- 15 tially as herein shown and described,l Whereby the Weight is raised and suspended by the action of a passing train, and is released by the descent of the vertically-sliding rod, as set forth.

15. In electric railway-signals, the combination, with the signals J J', having stop-pins 26, and the vertically-sliding rod z, having slotted horizontal arms y y', of the pivotcd connecting-bars x x', substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the said sg- 25 nals will be raised by the` downward Inovement of the said rod, as set forth.

WILLIAM T. WATERS.

Witnesses:

JAMES T. GRAHAM, EDGAR TATE. 

